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Astros pay respects to firemen in visit

Astros pay respects to firemen in visit

HOUSTON -- Astros players Jake Elmore, Josh Fields, Brad Peacock, Cody Clark, Josh Zeid and Lucas Harrell joined general manager Jeff Luhnow in visiting two local fire stations that lost firefighters in a motel blaze that claimed four lives in May.

Elmore, Fields, Peacock and Luhnow visited Firehouse 51 on Bellaire Avenue in Houston and presented the firehouse with an autographed jersey, as well as delivering lunch. They also got to take a ride in a firetruck, try out the equipment and even spray the hose.

Clark, Zeid and Harrell went to Firehouse 68, also on Houston's west side, and also presented an autographed jersey and delivered lunch.

"It was really exciting to go there and let them know we understand they put their lives on the line for us every day," Elmore said. "We do understand our life takes place in an air-conditioned, nice building and we kind of have the easy life. We wanted to show them it was important for us to take the time out of our day to let them know we're thinking about them and still understand the losses they endured and know we're behind them. Just kind of support them in any way we can."

In the immediate aftermath of the firefighters' deaths, the Astros obtained permission from Major League Baseball to wear a black HFD patch on their uniforms during their series against Baltimore in early June.

The players signed those game day uniforms and the team gave all of the jerseys to the Houston Fire Department and the Houston Professional Firefighters Association to share with the families of the fallen firefighters, those who were injured and to various fire stations.